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MIAH KICKSTART SCHEME

Could your business create a role to provide the start a young person needs to their future career, whilst getting paid by the government to cover the costs?  

The Blair Project, which runs and operates the Manchester Innovation Activities Hub (MIAH) is acting as a local intermediary for the government’s £2 billion Kickstart Scheme. It aims to create hundreds of job offering career progression opportunities for young people aged 16-24 who are currently claiming universal benefit.

We’re working with Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to pull together quality placements on behalf of smaller businesses in the region who want to participate in the scheme. We’re keen to hear from Companies who are driving innovations in Clean Growth Technologies, Digitalisation, Advanced Manufacturing, Health & Innovation sectors. Job opportunities need to provide 6-month long employment roles for young people aged 16 – 24 for a minimum of 25 hours per week.

If your business is able to offer a job opportunity for a young person under the scheme you’ll receive:

  • 100% of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week, plus associated employer National Insurance contributions and minimum pension costs.
  • A contribution towards employer set-up costs, support and training for each candidate placed through the scheme.

The first wave of placements are expected to take place from November

Want to know more?

By creating a Kickstart Scheme job placement you are helping young people aged 16-24 who are at risk of long-term unemployment.

Placements will be funded from a grant for 25 hours per week National Minimum Wage plus the associated employer National Insurance contributions and employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions. However employers can pay a higher wage and for more hours!.

There will also be funding to support young people to develop new skills and to help them move into sustained employment after they have completed their Kickstart funded job.

In order to apply, your Kickstart Scheme placements must meet the following criteria:

  • Placement will be for 6 months.
  • Placement will be at least 25 hours per week.
  • Candidate will not require extensive training pre-placement.
  • Business can, through the PAYE system pay at least the Minimum Wage.
  • Business can pay the statutory employer duties for the health, safety and welfare for young people, as well as National Insurance and pension contributions.
  • Placement is a new role which will not replace existing or planned jobs.
  • Placement will not cause existing employees or contractors to lose or reduce their employment.
  • Placement will include support for the young person to help them move into employment after they finish their Kickstart job.
  • Business is happy to sign up to a code of conduct for each placement.

Get in touch

If you’re interested in providing a placement for an unemployed young person, or for further information please contact us.